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Charred Wooden Shingles and Underfloor Cooling Define Sustainable Living in a Modular Residence

Charred Wooden Shingles and Underfloor Cooling Define Sustainable Living in a Modular Residence
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Constructed with charred wooden shingles and enhanced by underfloor cooling, the residence exemplifies a sustainable approach to modular living, harmonizing nature and contemporary family needs.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
03
Features a flexible layout allowing for future modifications based on resident needs.
04
Utilizes underfloor cooling systems to optimize energy efficiency and comfort.
05
Integrates native landscaping to promote biodiversity and environmental harmony.

### Project Overview
Located within a culturally rich urban environment, the design integrates contemporary architectural principles with the values inherent to Emirati culture. The primary intent is to create adaptable living spaces that accommodate modern lifestyle requirements while promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship. By prioritizing energy-efficient technologies and materials, the design aims to encourage conscientious living practices among its residents.

### Spatial Configuration and User Interactivity
The architecture features a dynamic layout that emphasizes connectivity and interaction among inhabitants. Public and private spaces are carefully arranged to foster family engagement, with an open living area that serves as a central gathering point. The design also highlights a deliberate flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, incorporating gardens and potential pool areas that meld with the surrounding landscape. Master bedrooms are strategically positioned to offer privacy while allowing for expansive views, thereby enhancing user experience.

### Material Selection and Environmental Integration
The material palette is chosen for its sustainability and functional attributes, including white stucco for its reflective cooling properties, wood cladding to introduce warmth and texture, stainless steel for structural integrity, and extensive use of glass to optimize natural lighting. This thoughtful selection not only contributes to the aesthetic quality of the residence but also addresses local climatic challenges. The landscape design incorporates native plants that enhance biodiversity and privacy, while promoting thermal comfort for the residence.

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The Home of 
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The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
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Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
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MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

The Home of 
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Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
The Architect’s 
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Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
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Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
The Architect's 
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Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 22 January 2026
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 4 February 2026
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MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
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Museum of 
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Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #8 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
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Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 25 February 2026
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

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